Is your MkVI GTI 'the best car you've ever owned'?

[andykram]

Yes. Definitely
And I can't agree with the brakes are a weak area. They saved my life back in September as many of you will remember me posting.
The first car I've ever had that I've not got bored of in a year and the first that I genuinely look forward to driving every time I get in it.

[R32UK]

I dont think the brakes are weak or dangerous.. although they do suffer from fade.

Not the best car.. but up there as a great all-rounder

[Ess_Three]

I dont think the brakes are weak or dangerous.. although they do suffer from fade.

They are grabby at low speed, over-servo'd and indeed can fade when hot.
I can just about live with that...but the amount of correction I was having to do with the steering when braking hard was alarming. Sop either the suspension bushes are made of marshmallow, or the brakes can be improved.
I'd just like it to brake in a straight line, not keep trying to turn left, right, left, right etc under heavy braking.

Not the best car.. but up there as a great all-rounder

Indeed so.

[FroGTI]

Not the best car.. but up there as a great all-rounder

+1. A Gallardo is nicer to drive, a Citroën C1 nicer to park in town and the Transit nicer to move house with, but as you say, as an all-rounder, the Golf is hard to beat.

[am1w]

Let me own up.

I am the guy who has voted 'slightly disappointed'.

Reasons in order of disappointment:-
(1) Tyre roar at speeds over 60 mph - very annoying.
(2) The steering wheel does not have enough reach so I cannot get fully comfortable.
(3) Lack of mid-range acceleration - easily corrected with a re-map.

[Gazdebaz]

At the moment it's the best car i have owned, but long term reliability has to come into the equation. So went for option 2.

[denyason]

its not the nicest for me.  its the best vw i have bought.  our family have had 5 golf's and i had a polo sport.  for me the driving position isn't very good- too high, maybe i'm too used to my previous audi tt mark2 which the driving position is excellent, nice and low.  the interior is such a let down.  golf's a pretty sedated but the only distinction from a normal golf is some chrome bits here and there.  im disappointed in the width of the tyres, means curbing is too easy.  i currently drive a porsche boxster 987  gen 2- it is truly amazing to drive, the feedback from the steering wheel is superb.  the noise from the engine is immence and power is predictably good.  how can one hate a porsche? even the audi tt was a belter.  the sound from the exhaust was incredible with the farting exhaust note, lets not forget the auto raising of the rear spoiler.  i loved how it would rise when i go past 80mph and with a push of a button it would go up or down at the traffic lights.  the tt takes the gti engine, but adds a better chassis and components is maximise the full potential of the engine, sacrificing practicallity for pure driving pleasure. 

it is the best car in that category imo.   

[FroGTI]

(3) Lack of mid-range acceleration - easily corrected with a re-map.

If I hadn't had mine remapped, I would probably have voted 'slightly disappointed', too. A remap is a must in terms of power, the only problem then is traction... which is why I miss RWD

[am1w]

I've just driven a one week old BMW 335d M Sport saloon, 18" wheels, leather etc. Oh dear, what a 'mild' disappointment. The inside plastics seemed low rent compared with the Golf, the leather had the appearance of plastic, was very dimpled, crumpled and hard, the ride was very lumpy but the engine and auto box were a peach. Both internal and external design was very ordinary and close to ugly. However, it really is mentally fast. Is it worth £45k he paid for it. No, no, no!

The Mercedes C Class 350CDI Sport Auto looks much nicer, feels and looks more upmarket and drives just as well. This is IMO.

Now, where is this going you may ask. Well, if the VW Golf R fully loaded costs £40k+ and compared to both these above named saloons I now feel is well worth it! So is the GTi which I feel is very good value for money. Yes, VW have done a superb job of updating the Mk5.

I am therefore changing my vote from 'mild disappointment' to 'probably one of the best cars I have owned.'

One lives and learns all the time!

[Jimble]

So far this is the best car i've owned although some things are annoying me at the moment, esp in the warm weather.